White Sox is placed right-handed Mike Clevinger on IL 15 days, effective May 18, suffered from wrist inflammation before today’s game against the Royals, the club announced. Clevinger is expected to start against the Guardians tomorrow, but he will instead be absent at least for the rest of the month. He will be eligible to return in early June, although there is no clear timeline for Clevinger’s return at this point. No corresponding move has been announced, with the White Sox expected to make one before tomorrow’s game against Cleveland.
Clevinger once seemed to be one of the most promising young athletes in the sport, as he racked up a 2.96 ERA and 3.39 FIP in 489 1/3 innings from 2017-2020. That 4-year period of dominance saw him score a 28% hit rate while going only 9% of the beaters he faced. Unfortunately for Clevinger, he will miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, he will eventually return to action early in the 2022 campaign.
Upon returning from surgery, Clevinger’s fast ball velocity dropped from 95.1 mph to 93.6 mph. In addition to lost velocity, the right-hander has seen a big drop in his output since returning to the mound, with 4.40 ERA and 5.02 FIP in ten catches. since the start of the 2022 campaign. Clevinger, who is in Chicago on a one-year, $12 million deal this season, is a far cry from the only struggling White Sox starter so far in the year. 2023, for every Dylan Stop, Michael KopechAnd Lance Lynn have an ERA above 4.50 this season.
While Clevinger finds a way to combat his current illness and get things back on track, the White Sox is likely to move on. Jesse Scholtens in the spin, as the right-hander is the only other healthy starter on the 40-man list. Scholtens, who made his MLB debut earlier this season, has a 3.00 ERA in 3 innings working for the White Sox this season and a 3.99 ERA in 38 1/3 innings working at the Triple-A level. Other possible options include Daniel Ponce de Leon And Luke Farrellthough both would claim a spot on the 40 list.
